kalteoff



1515510551.) 3 sheets-sheet 1. A. KALTEOFF. HYDRAULIG AIR COMPRESSOR. No. 551,549. 95555555 D50. 17, 1895.

(No Model.) j 3 sheets-sheet 2. 4A. KALTHOEP. 4 l HYDRAULIC AIR COMPRESSOR( No. 551,549. Patented Dee. 1'7, 1895.

y WITNESSES.-

(No Model.) s sheets-sheen 3. A. KALTHOFP. HYDRAILILIG` AIR COMPRESSOR.

Patented Dec. 17, 1895.

W/TNESSES:

BYCMLY A A P EGHAHAMPHGTYJUTHQWASHINGMNSi lhurrnn drapes ALBRECHT KALTHOFF, OF NEW' YORK, N. Y.

HYDRAULIC ifiiRm/CEVIPRESSOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No, 551,549, dated December 17', 1895.

Application filed April Z7, 1895. Serial No. 547,328. (No model.)

To all 'wh-0m t may concern:

Be it known that I, ALBRECHT KALTHOFF, of New York. city, in the county and State of New York, have invented a new and linproved Hydraulic l-irompressor, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact de- Scription.

'lhe invention relates to hydraulic air-conipressors more especially designed for use in beer-pumps and similar machines; and its object is to provide a new and improved hydraulic aireo1npressor which is comparatively simple and durable in construction, automatic in operation, and arranged in such a manner that the pressure of the water for operating the compressor is utilized to the fullest advantage without perceptible loss.

The invention consists of certain parts and details and combinations of the saine, as will be Afully described hereinafter, and then pointed out in the claims.

Reference is to be had to the aceompan yin g drawings, 'forming apart of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the gures.'

Figure l is a sectional side elevation of the improvement. Fig. 2 is a transverse section of the saine with the main valve in a discharge position and the piston descending. Fig. 3 is a sectional side elevation of the piston, the spring, and the release-valve. Fig. l is a plan view of the release-valve. Fig. 5 is a sectional plan view of the saine, and Fig. G is-a sectional plan view of the improvement on the line 6 6 of Fig. 2.

The improved hydraulic air-compressor is provided with a easing A for the waterinlet A connected with a suitable water-supply, usually the city main, the said casing being also provided width a water-outlet A2, arranged at right angles to the inlet and connected with a suitable place of discharge. The inner end of the water-inlet A connects with an annular chamber A3 formed in the central portionl A4 arranged within the Casin g A, and containing a cylindrical bushing 3 provided in its wall with ports B leading to the said annular clianiberAi. The upper end of this bushing B opens into a cylinder C containing a piston D, supporting on its top a suitable weight D' and adapted to compress the airin the upper part of the cylinder G, the latter being provided on its top with a cap C eoutaining an air-discharge valve C2 connected with an air-reservoir in the usual Ina-nner.

The inflow of the water from the inlet A to the cylinder C and the outdow of the water from the latter to the outletpipe A2 is coutrolled by a nia-in Valve, preferably constructed as shown in the drawings, and provided with a piston-valve E fitted to slide in the bushing B for opening and closing the ports ll, to perm it the water to iiow 'from the inlet A through the said ports B" into the easing C, as illustrated in Fig. l, or to cut oliA the said ports B' and inlet A from the cylinder C, as illustrated in Figi 2. The main valve is further provided with a valve-disk E2 fastened, like the the piston-valve E, on a hollow valve-stein lil; and this valve-disk is normallyv held on the top of avalve-seat F, screwing into the iniddle portion of the casing A, as is plainly shown in the drawings. The upward movement of the main valve (which is composed of the valve E, disk E2 and stein E') is limited by the disk E2 being seated against the under side of the central part A4 of the casing1 as indicated in Fig. 2. lt is understood that the outlet A2 is below the valve-seat F, so that when the disk is in the position shown in Fig. 2 then the water from the eylin der C can pass from the upper part of the casino' A through the seat F into the lower part of the casing and through the outlet A2 to a suitable place of discharge.

The valve-stein E of the inain valve extends through a suitable stuffing-box in the piston D to carry at its upper end a head E3, on which is secured a cylinder E* iitted to slide in a tubular extension D2 formed on the piston D and passing through the weight D'. On the upper end 'of this cylinder E is secured a valve-seat E", on which is held a release-valve G formed with a body portion G' fitted to slide on the valve-seat E5 and containing a valve G2 adapted to be seated on the top of the said valve-seat E5, as plainly indicated in Fig. l.

The valve G2 is provided n ith the usual web G3 for guiding the Valve G`2 in the seat E5, and from the top of the said valve G2 extends upwardly a threaded shank Gi, onto which screws a cylindrical sleeve iitted to slide in a bridge G screwing in a flange GT formed IOO on the upper part of the bod y Gr and adapted to be seated on the upper end of the tubular extension D2 of the'piston D, as plainly indicated in Fig. 3. Normally the valve G2 is held to its seat by the pressure of the air in the upper end of the cylinder C; but when the piston D moves upward, then thetubula-r extension D2 ot the said piston moves in engagement with the llange G7, so as* to lift the Valve-body Gr'l and to move the valve G2ott' its seat E, asindieated in Fig. 3. lVhen this takes pla-oe, the air can pass trom the upper end of the cylinder C through the `valve-seat into the cylinder E?, so that the pressure.,

on the top and bottom oi? kthe valve-stein E* is equalized, and consequently the saidyalvestem El can bc moved suddenly upward to shift the ma in valve from its normal or waterinlet position to a water-outlet position, by the action of a coil-spring lI contained in the piston D, and resting and pressing with its upper end on the head E3 ot the stem E.

It is understood that when the piston D moves into an uppermost position, yit eom presses thespring H, as shown in Fig. 3, prior to the tubular extension D2 lifting the liange Gl otf the valve-body Gty to unseat the valvevG2.

Now it will be seen that when the several parts are in the .position illustrated in Fig. l water can flow through the inlet A'Qannular chamber A3 and ports Bin the bushing B, through the latter to the lower part of the cylinder C, to exert its pressure against the under side of the piston D to cause the latter to slide upward inthe direction of the arrow (H, as shown in the ysaid Fig. l. During. the upward movement of the piston D the valve E or' the main valve is below the ports B, and the disk 112 is seated on the seat F, so that the water is returned within the Cylinder C. Now when the piston D nears its uppermost position, it commences to compress the spring Il, and finally the piston D2 engages the flange GT of the valve-body G, to move the valve G2 ott its seat E", as indicated in Fig. 3. Now it is understood that as long as the piston D was moving' upward and when it commenced to compress the spring II, the latter could not force the stem E' upward as the pressure of the air on the upper side of the valve G combined with the pressure of the water on the upper side of the valve-disk E2 prevented the spring from shitting the main valve; but as soon as the valve G2 is lifted oft' its seat E5, then the air-pressure on the Valve G is suticiently lessened to permit the compressed spring Il to suddenly shift the main valve by pushing the hollow stein upward, lifting valve-disk D2 against the pressure of the water on its top. to move the piston-valve E into the position shown in Fig. 2, and eut oft' the water-supply, and at the saine time move the valve-disk E2 off its seat F, to permit the water to pass from the lower end of the cylinder C to and through the outlet A2. Now it will be seen that when the water recedes from the cylinder C, the piston D, owing' to its weight D', is t'oree'd downward inthe Cylinder Guntil finally the lower end of the piston D moves in eontaet with the nut E for holding the piston-valve,F in place on the stem E', to push the latter downward so as to again shift the position of the main valve from the outlet position to its normal or inlet position, as indicated in Fig. l. In doing so, the water can again flow into the Cylinder t,

rto raise the piston D therein, so that the aber(L described operation is nepeated.y

By reference to Fig. 3, itwill be seen that any water that may have leaked into the upper part ot the eylinder C can pass through the now open valve-seat E5, cylinder El vand head Eiiinto the hollow stein E', to tlow down the same and to be discharged into the outf serrated end of the hollow stein E' opens into a chamber A formed in the base A Screwed kkinto the lower open end of the easing A, as is kplainly shown in the drawings.

is provided with a cylindrical extension A",

passing into the lower end of the easing, and

forming with the wall thereof a .sutlicientf space for the water comin down through the seat F to pass to the outlet A2. This cylindrical offset AT is provided with a series ol' vertical channels AS leading from the outer air to the said chamber A, so that air can passfrom the outside through the channels AS into the chamber A9 and up through the hollow stem E, to supply the upper part ot the cylinder C with the air to be compressed. In the bottom of the chamber A2 is formed a valve-seat A10 leading to a leakage-water discharge A, likewise formed in the Cylindrical extension A7 and connected by a port A12 with the water-outlet A2, as is plainly shown in Fig. L. The Valve-seat A10 is normally closed from the under side by a pistonvalve I tted to slide in a cylindrical extension J of a cap J, screwing in the bottom of the Cylindrical extension AT, as is plainly shown in the drawings. A spring I holds the said piston-valve I normally on its seat, and the said piston-Valve is adapted to be unseated by the lower end of the hollow valve-stem E' as the latter descends, as previously explained and shown in Fig. l. Now when this valve I is open leakage-water contained in the upper end of the cylinder is drained into the chamber A11 to pass to the outlet A2, as previously explained.

It will be seen that by the arrangement described the water passing into the cylinder C presses with its full torce upon. the piston D to compress the air under pressure which is almost equal to the pressure of the water, so that the device utilizes the water-power to the greatest advantage. It will further be The base A ICO IlO

iig

seen that the hollow valve-stem of the main valve forms the inlet for the air to be compressed in the cylinder C by the piston l) as the latter ascends, the air passing into the cylinder through said valve-stem upon the downward movement of the piston. It will also be seen that any water passing the piston D into the upper end of the cylinder C is drained therefrom by the hollow stem of the main valve.

Having thus fully described my invention, l claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patentl.. A hydraulic air compressor, comprising a cylinder, a piston mounted therein, to draw in and compress the air, and a main valve for controlling the inflow and outflow of the water to and from the said cylinder, the said main valve being provided with a hollow stem passing through the said piston, to form an air inlet for the air to be compressed by the said piston, substantially as shown and described.

2. A hydraulic air compressor, comprising a cylinder,'a piston mounted therein, to draw in and compress the air, a main valve for controlling the inflow and outliow of the water to and from the said cylinder, the said main valve being provided with a hollow stem passing through the said piston, and a release valve held on the upper end of the said hollow stem, to open or close the same, substantial ly as shown and described.

A hydraulic air compressor, comprising a cylinder, a piston mounted therein, to draw in and compress the air, a main valve for controlling the inflow and outiiow of the water to and from the said cylinder, the said main valve being provided with a hollow stem passing through the said piston, a release valve held on the upper end of the said hollow stem, to open and close the same, and a spring adapted to be compressed by the said piston, and adapted to press on the said stem, to shift the position of the said valve from a water iniiow t-o a water discharge position, substantially as shown and described.

et. A hydraulic air compressor, provided with a main valve having a hollow stem forming an inlet for the air to be compressed, and a discharge for leakage water, substantially as shown and described.

5. A hydraulic air compressor, comprising a cylinder, a piston mounted therein, a springpressed main valve for controlling the inflow and outflow of the water to and from the said cylinder, the said main valve being provided with a hollow stem forming an air inlet and a leakage water discharge, and a springpressed valve adapted to be engaged by the said stem, to connect the latter with the general water discharge, substantially as shown and described.

6. A hydraulic air compressor comprising a cylinder having an air outlet and an air inlet at one end and awater outlet and inlet at the other end, a piston in said cylinder between the respective air and water inlets and outlets,

valvesy for controlling the admission and discharge of air from the cylinder, a valve for controlling the admission and discharge of water to and from said cylinder, said valve being held in one position during the forward stroke of the piston, means for exhausting the remaining air from said cylinder at the end of the forward stroke of the piston, whereby the air pressure is reduced, and means for automatically moving said valve to its opposite position when the air pressure inthe cylinder is reduced, as set forth.

7. A hydraulic air compressor comprising a cylinder having an air outlet and an air inlet at one end, and a water outlet and inlet at the other end, a piston in said cylinder between the respective air and water inlets and outlets, valves for controlling the admission and discharge of air to and from the cylinder, a valve for controlling the admission and discharge of water to and from the cylinder, said valve being held in one position by the pressure of the water in the cylinder during the forward stroke of the piston, means actuated by the piston at the end of its forward stroke for exhaustin g the remaining air from said cylinder whereby the air pressure therein is reduced, and means for automatically moving said valve to its opposite position when the air pressure in the cylinder is reduced, as set forth.

8. A hydraulic air compressor comprising a cylinder having air and water inlets and outlets at the opposite ends, a piston in said cylinder, valves for controlling the admission and discharge of air to and from the cylinder, a valve for controlling the admission and discharge of water to and from the cylinder, a stem for said valve extending into the air space in said cylinder and adapted to beheld in one position by the air pressure in said space during the compressing stroke of the piston, means for exhausting the remaining air from the cylinder at the end of the compressing stroke, and means for automatically moving said valve stem to its other position on the fall of the air pressure in the cylinder, as set forth.

9. A hydraulic air compressorcomprising a cylinder having air and water inlets and outlets at its opposite ends a piston in said cylinder, valves for controlling the admission and discharge of air to and from the cylinder, a valve for controlling the admission and discharge of water to and from said cylinder, a stem for said valve extending into the air space in the cylinder and adapted to be held in one position by the air pressure in the cylinder on the compressing stroke of the piston, a spring connected to said stein and adapted to move the same to its other position when the air pressure in the cylinder falls, and means for exhausting the remaining air from said cylinder at the end of the compressing stroke of the piston, as set forth.

10. A hydraulic air compressor comprising IOO IIO

aeylinder, a piston therein, a Water inlet and outlet at one end of the eylindeiga Valve een trolled air outlet at the other end of the eylinder, a valve for Controlling the admission and discharge of Waiter to and from the Cylinder, a hollow stein for said valve extending into the air space in the cylinder and adapted to he held in one position by the air pressure in the Cylinder on the compressing' stroke of the pistoinsaid stein haring its hollow arranged to forni an air inlet for the cylinder an d prorided with a valve, inea-ns for opening; Said valve at the end of the eonipreseng Stroke of the piston to exhaust the rennaining` air 'from the cylinder an d means for automatically moving Said Stein to its other position when the air pressure in sa id Cylinder iS lowered, as Set i'orth. v

ll. A hydraulic air compressor Comprising aeylinder, a pieton therein, a Yalred air ontlet at one end of the cylinder, a water inlet and outlet at the other end oi' saine, a valve for Controlling the Water inlet and outlet, a hollow stein for said valve extending into the air space in the Cylinder and adapted to be pressed in one direction by the air pressure in the Cylinder during' the compressing stroke ot" the piston, sai d Stein haring ite hollowar# ranged to forni an air inlet for the Cylinder and provided with a Valve arranged to be operated by the piston at the end of its com 'pressing stroke to open the air inlet and exhaust the reinaininic,` air from the eylinder. and means for entoniatieally moving' Said stein in the other direction vwhen the air nre in the cylinder is lowered, as set forth.

1i. A hydranlie air eompressor comprising" a ejflinder, a piston therein, a Yalred outlet for ,the air at one end of the Cylinder, a Water inlet. and outleta-t the other end thereof, a

valve for eontrolliing,` the Water inlet and our let, a hollow stein for said Valve extending' through the piston to the opposite end oi' the cylinder and adapted to "ne pressed in one direetion by the air pressure in the cylinder during the eompressing stroke of the piston. said Stein haring its hollow arranged to forni an air inlet to the cylinder, a valve eontreL ling the air inlet, and v(flrranged to he opened at the end of the compressing stroke of the piston. whereby the reni a-ining` air is exhausted from the cylinder, and a Spring eenneeted lo the stein and adapted to be plaeed under tension during the compressing stroke ot" the piston to more the stein inv the other direrg tion when the air pressure in the Cylinder falle, as Set i'orth.

Alil-SBECH'D KALTHOFF. lYitnesses:

THEO. G. Hoeren,

SEDei-UCK, 

